A flap lifted and one of the women peered out at him before moving aside.
“I am here.” Fiona ran from a tent and threw herself against him, shaking all over.
“Have you been harmed?” He lifted her face and studied it. Other than her teeth chattering, she seemed unharmed.
“No, just frightened. I was not sure you how long it would be before you found me.” She began to cry and he held her against him.
The man shuffled his feet and looked back to the people who’d come out of the cottages and watched with interest. Worry sketched on most faces. “Laird, I beg your forgiveness. We did not know your father had died.”
“I should have informed you,” Steaphan conceded. “You may remain on the lands. On occasion, it would behoove you to come to court at the keep and remain informed of what happens on McKenzie lands.”
“Aye, Laird. I will. You have our gratitude for forgiving this grievous mistake.” The man bowed to him and backed away. Silently, the people formed a circle and then began chanting.
“Let us go home.” Steaphan wrapped his tartan around his wife and motioned for the guards. They came forward to hold her until he mounted and then assisted her onto his horse.
She lay against him, her trembling lessening. Steaphan kissed her temple. “I will never allow my mother or anyone to harm you. Trust me in that, Fiona.”
“I do.” Her solemn eyes met his. “I know you will keep me safe, always. As terrified as I was at first, I knew you would not stop looking until you found me. The people back there were different, but very nice. Do not punish them.”
“I will not.” His mind was already on what he would have to do once they arrived back at their home.
The keep came into view, the majestic, gray stone building presiding over the valleys that surrounded the hill on which it was built. Rather than pride at seeing his home, anger coursed through him. His mother would leave today. Whether she went to live with Sorcha or to a cottage in the village did not matter to him at the moment. One thing he was sure of: she would not spend one more night under the same roof as Fiona.
It was clear he could not trust his mother. She would, in all certainty, try something worse than today. If any harm came to his wife… The thought startled him. He looked down to the dark curls about Fiona’s head. He loved his wife. So soon after marrying and already the thought of any harm coming to her had scared him as much as the day he’d lost his brother.
He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer, pressing another kiss to her head. “You are precious to me, wife.”
She let out a sigh and her hand rubbed up and down his arm. “Thank you for coming for me, Steaphan.”
* * *
The great room was silent as the assembled guards and servants awaited his mother’s entrance. That Valent was amongst them was a good sign.
Lorna entered, her shrewd eyes scanning the room before stopping on Fiona. She gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. “I see your wife has returned.” She met Steaphan’s gaze with challenge. “Next time, I will ensure she is removed permanently.”
“Have you no remorse?” Steaphan motioned for the guards to stop her from moving to the high board. “Do you honestly believe I will allow you to remain here when you openly admit planning harm to Fiona?”
“You cannot send me away, you swore to your father on his deathbed to care for me.”
“I did. But that does not necessarily mean here. Some of your personal belongings are packed and in a wagon outside. You can direct the driver to take you to Sorcha’s house or to a cottage in the village that will be prepared for you. Your choice.”
The guards who stood beside her did not move, but Lorna McKenzie recoiled in horror from them. “No. No!” She rushed to Steaphan. “I refuse to leave my home. This is my house, where I will die.” Before he could stop her, she raced from the room and ran up the stairs.
“Sire, she may lock herself in her chamber. We will not be able to enter,” one of the guards pointed out, his gaze toward where Lorna went.
“I had one of the guards posted, just in case.”
Everyone began speaking at once. Steaphan lifted a hand and they silenced. “Let it be known. I will not tolerate any disrespect to my wife or anyone in my family. This includes my brother. I send my mother away, but you will not receive as fair a treatment.” He scanned the room. “Is that understood?”
“Aye!” the people called out and began to speak again.
“Sire!” An archer rushed into the room. “Your mother is on the roof.”
Fiona gasped. “Oh no.”
Steaphan, Niven and two men ran up the stairs. Just as he reached the roof, a collective gasp sounded. Lorna leaped to her death. He didn’t have to look to know.
Steaphan froze, unable to move.
His heartbeat sounded steady and loud in his ears. Everything disappeared and all he saw was a thick fog swirling around him, clouding his ability to move. Through the haze, a voice penetrated. “Steaphan. Come, love.”
Warm hands took his and pulled him. Although he still could not see clearly, he instinctively knew the person that guided him would ensure he did not misstep. Little by little, things came clearer. He found himself in the study with Niven and Fiona. Niven pushed a glass of whiskey into his hand while Fiona held his other.
“Steaphan, look at me.” The words didn’t make sense at first, until finally he looked into clear, hazel eyes.
“Fiona.”
“Aye, my love, I am here. Listen to me. It is not your fault. Your mother, she was not well.”
“I drove her to kill herself.”
“The consequence of her own actions. She made that choice,” Niven interjected. “You’ve made allowances and have been very patient over the last few years.”
His chest tightened. “She is dead, then?”
“Yes,” Fiona replied, sympathy etched on her pretty face. “I am so sorry.”
Steaphan put the glass down and pulled his wife against him. They rocked in silence. There was light clip of the door closing as Niven left him with his wife to grieve.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The arrow flew across the expanse landing just outside the center circle. The wind did not help with target practice, yet she was growing exasperated at how badly her aim was on that afternoon.
Ariana lifted her bow and pulled back on the string holding the arrow in place. She let out a breath and closed her right eye. Head tilted to the side, she released the arrow. Much better, just inside the center circle.
Movement at the edge of the wood’s line caught her attention. She narrowed her eyes to see Valent’s apprentice watching her. She ignored him and moved to the target to retrieve her arrows. The young man went from one foot to the other as if anxious. Ariana motioned him to come closer and he shook his head then looked past her to the other men and quickly motioned with his fingers for her to come to him, instead.
“Of all the things. If he killed a large deer and needs help or permission to take it home, he needs to speak to Murray, not me,” Ariana grumbled aloud as she walked to him.
“Milady, I have a message for ye.” He swallowed and his face flushed crimson. “I beg yer forgiveness if I offend ye. The archer, Valent, is at the cottage. He asked I tell ye…”
Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach tumbled. “What did he say?”
“Just that he wishes to speak to ye. To not tell anyone else and to let ye know he will only remain this night. He will be gone tomorrow.”
Ariana looked over her shoulder. Some of the archers took note of them speaking and looked on with interest. “Walk to the practice area with me and pretend to teach me how to shoot. The others are wondering what we speak of. Let them believe I asked you for help.”
They moved to where she’d been standing. Ariana smiled at the boy who would one day be quite a handsome man. “Show me how you shoot.”
He stood straight, his face serious as he settled an arrow into the groove of the bow
. When he released it, the arrow flew with a much higher speed than hers and, without a sound, landed in the center of the target.
Ariana smiled. “Impressive.”
“Thank ye, milady.” He beamed at her. “Now you try.”
After a few moments, she excused herself and rushed to her chamber. She scribbled a note to Lily asking that she make excuses for her absence at the evening meal and rushed out a side exit near the kitchens to avoid being spotted by her brother.
Once at the stables, she saddled her own horse and headed to the forest. Her breathing was labored, heart hammering against her breastbone as she checked, once again, to ensure she wasn’t followed. Why was he back? Had something happened and Valent changed his mind, returning for her?
Her thoughts went in a million different directions as she slowed once in the woods. What would she actually do if Valent came for her?
No, it was not possible. He came for another reason, and besides, now that she’d accepted Ross McLeod’s proposal, a sudden departure would make Ceardac appear badly before the McLeods of Skye who’d come to their aid when needed.
The cottage came into view and her heart thundered at the sight of a horse tethered beside it in the small, covered shelter.
As she approached the door, it flew open and she flung herself into Valent’s arms. The solid chest and strong arms encircling her made every question and all reason disappear. All she knew at the moment was that there, in his embrace, was the place she belonged. With Valent and no other.
“I have missed ye.” Valent’s voice was gruff.
He took her mouth with so much need it made her tremble. Valent’s body shook as they moved back into the cottage, the door closing behind them.
Both began to undress with urgency and, quickly, he stood totally bereft of clothes, his magnificent body on full display for her. With her gaze, she feasted on the sight of him as he stalked forward and lifted her to the bed.
Once again, his mouth claimed hers as she slid her hand down his back, needing to touch every part of him.
“You are mine,” he echoed her thoughts and a shiver of happiness moved through her entire body. “Never again will I be away from you.”
“Take me, Valent. I need to know you claim me totally.” Ariana cupped his buttocks and pulled him to her.
Valent’s breathing was harsh, his lips parted when his darkened eyes met hers. “Yes.” He maneuvered his length between her legs and plunged forward, filling her completely.
Ariana gasped and pulled his face to hers so she could kiss him once again. His tongue probed her mouth and she allowed it entrance, enjoying the feel of him entering her body there, as well.
In a steady rhythm, he moved in and out, his slender hips thrusting faster and faster as they both climbed to the precipice from where they’d fall into bliss.
“Yes!” Tremors traveled from where they joined to her very center and Ariana prepared to fall. She tried in vain to restrain the inevitable a bit longer, needing to prolong the moment.
Everything shifted and she fell into a wonderful abyss of warmth, love, and Valent.
He cried out as well, his deep voice penetrating through her dreamlike state and he fell over her.
They clung to one another without speaking in an understood need to convince themselves it was real. With his face between her neck and shoulder, she turned and pressed her cheek the side of it. “I love you, Valent. I missed you so.”
Moments later, Valent lay on his back and Ariana snuggled beside him. He’d pulled a blanket over them, which she recognized as one she’d given him months earlier. It seemed so long ago when she’d visited him after her brother, Donall, had him whipped for attempting to save a McKenzie boy from being killed.
“I came for you,” Valent finally spoke. “I have a home now.”
“With the McKenzies?”
“Yes and no. On their lands, but away from the keep. I was first born.” He swallowed visibly and she wondered what had transpired while he was gone.
“You left me.” The words brought back the sting of his abandonment. A tear escaped down her neck. “Why?”
Valent wiped her tear way and kissed her. “My brother had me taken by force. I did not leave of free will.”
“Something happened while you were there then?”
“Aye, much happened. I learned the McKenzie is a fair, honorable man.”
Ariana closed her eyes and fortified herself. “I cannot live on McKenzie lands. He killed my brothers. Perhaps not personally, but he ordered it. I hate him.”
“I understand. So does he. I asked that he avoid you and that we would not be ordered to appear at court together.”
Valent continued the explanation. “You must understand, Ceardac would have done the same. Your brothers wronged the McKenzie Clan over a simple mistake. Many lives were lost because of Beathan’s rash actions.”
As much as it pained her, it was true. So much could have been avoided if her brother had not been so intent on making a name for himself. Young and arrogant, Beathan acted without thought. The cruel streak in him had always frightened her.
Valent lifted her face. “I agreed to the land and home only because I wanted to provide for you, Ariana. I cannot fathom taking you with me on a trek without certainty. Accept me. Give us an opportunity to be together as husband and wife.”
“What of Ceardac? He has made a handfast agreement with the McLeods of Skye. I am set to marry Ross McLeod.”
A deep growl rumbled from him and Ariana could not help but smile at the show of ownership. “We will speak to him at once.” Valent slid from the bed and began to dress. “Come, Ariana.”
* * *
“I cannot agree to this.” Ceardac’s gaze went from Ariana to Valent. “We have made an agreement with the McLeods of Skye. I cannot go back on my word.”
“It is not you, but Ariana who has changed her mind,” Valent interceded.
It struck Ariana how different Valent’s posture was before Ceardac. The relationship was no longer that of a laird over an archer, but more like equals. Land ownership, a laird in his own right now, Valent shouldered it well and she understood why he needed to accept what was his birthright.
“And with a McKenzie, no less.”
She looked to Valent when he didn’t deny the clan affiliation. He must have accepted the last name along with the land. Of course, it would be the only way to take lairdship over the tenants of wherever they were to live.
Both men looked to one another for a long time before Ceardac finally held his hand out. “I wish you both well. That you both leave without me knowing is something I cannot help.” He gave them a pointed look to ensure they understood the hidden message.
While the men shook hands, Lily rushed in, her face flushed and eyes flying to the others in the room. “What happens?”
“My sister is leaving,” Ceardac told her and went to stand beside his new intended and looked to Ariana.
“I have news, as well,” he added.
When his arms went around Lily’s shoulders Ariana rushed to them, tears already falling. “Are you to be married?”
“Aye,” Ceardac replied while Lily turned a bright shade of red. “Perhaps we can rush the ceremony so you can attend.” He looked to Valent. “Will you remain for a few days?”
Ariana looked to him willing a yes. She would hate not being there to witness the new start for her clan. The realization that her marrying Valent would unite their clans and peace would come to the region between them someday. Sure there was much resentment after the recent battles and losses on both sides, but given time, things would settle and, eventually, it would be easier to coexist.
“Of course, we will.” Valent took her hand. “Is it possible that the clergyman marry us as well?”
Ariana and Lily clung to each other, happy tears spilling to their wide smiles as they hugged. Both turned to look at the men with expectant expressions.
“How could I say no?” Ceardac replied, his w
arm gaze on the two women he loved.
The night was cold, but snuggled close to Valent as they strolled outside, Ariana was quite warm. “What are you thinking about?” She looked to the silent man whose arm wrapped protectively around her.
“I am still trying to understand all that has happened. I feel as if I will wake up any moment and be back at my cottage, still in service to your brother, Donall.”
If anyone would have told her the story of all that happened, she would not believe a word of it herself. “I can’t help but think on the past, as well. I know it was not a happy time for you, but I had my family. My brothers were alive.”
Valent lifted her face with a gentle touch and pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Aye, I understand. However, there is much to be happy about now and I will ensure you are always so with me.”
“What happened at your brother’s keep?” She’d been tentative about asking, but could not keep from it any longer.
They stopped and Valent lifted her to sit atop a waist-high, thick, stone wall. “I learned my brother is a good man. That we can be so involved in our own circumstance we don’t think of the other side of things. I was finally able to see the faces of those who haunted my dreams for my entire life. The woman who gave me life lost herself the day I disappeared.”
He bent his head and although Ariana wanted to go to him, she held back, allowing him time to think things through. When his gaze lifted, there was pain. “I am a simple man, Ariana. Selfish to aim so high as to garner you, a laird’s daughter.”
“Don’t say that…” She stopped talking when he shook his head.
“Tis the truth. I can barely read and write. How will I laird over people when I have no knowledge of numbers and such? More than ever, even facing death, I am afraid.”
His admission broke Ariana’s heart and she opened her arms. “Come, please.” He did and she wrapped her arms around him, then spoke into his ear.
“Together is how you will. You have a good heart and are stronger than any man I’ve ever met. I am not only honored, but feel fortunate that you chose me.”
Highland Archer Page 19